Gyroscopic attitude indicating instrument



y 1, 1947- T. o. SUMMERS, JR I 2,423,269

GYROSCOPIC ATTITUDE INDICATING INSTRUMENT Filed Sept; 9, 1942 sjsheets-sneet 1 27/0 /23 02 501/4152: 072., INV EN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

July I, 1947. SUMMERS, JR 2,423,269

GYROSCOPIC ATTITUDE INDICATING INSTRUMENT Filed Sept. 9, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN TOR.

BY W ATTORNEY.

T. O. SUMMERS, JR

GYROSCOPIC ATTITUDE INDICATING INSTRUMENT July 1, 1947.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 9, 1942 a &I

llllllll vL I j \I' O {i a m R I O 5 O M 9 a W QB O I M m m u z m 4. V J fllw V 0 5 1 0 9 M W o I. (/M f 1 6 4 l ATTORNEY.

Patented July 1, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GYROSCOPIC ATTITUDE INDICATING INSTRUMENT Thomas 0. Summers, In, Los Angeies, Calif. Application september 9, 1942, Serial No. 457,730

Claims. (CL 339-204) movements of the horizon, which result from deviations of the ship from level flight. For example, if the horizon line, which, of course, is always stationary, appears to be moving downwards, the only possible cause isthat the nose of the ship is rising, whereas if the horizon line appears to be tilting to one side, it is caused by tilting, or rolling, of the ship in the opposite direction. Therefore, in learning to fly a ship by observation of the real horizon line, a pilot must first learn that a certain action which appears to be very real and positive, actually is not occurring at all, but instead,- something else is occurring which makes that action apparent in spite of its nonexistence. Consequently, flightindicating instruments of conventional design,

support and to the mechanism carried thereby, thus greatly facilitating the ordinarily somewhat diflicult problem of conducting motivating fluid to the gyroscope.

The invention prossesses other objects and valuable features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set. forth in the following description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said drawings and description as I may adopt variations of the preferred embodiment within the scope of my invention, as defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a face view of an instrument incorporating the principles of the present invention wherein a reference line is caused to move in accordance with unreal, but very apparent movements of the horizon line, must be interpreted to mean, not what they show, but instead, a certain action which is the only possible cause of the apparent movement of the real horizon which is simulated by the movement of the instrument's indicator.

It is a further object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an attitude-indicating instrument, the reading of which is not dependent upon any false representation based upon facts which are apparent, but actually unreal, and which can be explained only by other facts which are real.

Another object is the provision of a novel type of suspension for gyroscopic instruments whereby it is freely supported for movement about a given axis without the necessity of a journal to support an end of the instrument through which that axis passes, and where the indicating dial and indicating media are located, thus making for less restriction in the observation of the instrument and accordingly, less liability of confusion of its reading.

A further object in this connection, is the provision of a novel gyroscope suspension of the character indicated which is peculiarly adapted for use in connection with air-driven gyroscopes inasmuch as it lends itself most advantageously to the incorporation therewith of means for conducting fluid under pressure past the journal and showing the indicating media thereof in.

plane upon which the instrument is mounted is experiencing a banking maneuver to the right.

Figure 5 is a horizontal, medial, sectional view of the instrument, the plane of section being indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 1, and the direction of view by the arrows.

Figure 6 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken upon the line 6-6 of Figure 5 with the direction of view as indicated.

Figure '7 is a vertical, medial, sectional view, the plane of section being indicated by the lines 1-! of Figures 1 and 5, and the direction of view by the arrows.

Figure 8 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken upon the lines 8-8 of Figures 5 and 7, with the direction of view as indicated. a

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation, drawn to reduced scale, of the gyro rotor housing and the parts immediately associated therewith. Portions of the figure are broken away to reduce its size.

In accordance with the present invention, my improved attitude-indicating instrument is enclosed within a suitable housing It, having an end wall I1, which preferably is provided with a transparent window l8 through which the indicating media are visible, the instrument being designed for mounting on the instrument panel such as that of an airplane with the wall l'l thereof ing media are in position for the facile observation thereof by the pilot. Upon the opposite wall IS a preferably cylindrical extension 2| is provided for the accommodation of a bearing support, indicated in its entirety at 22, and the details of the construction of which constitute one of the important features of the present invention.

This bearing support 22 comprises a bracket 23 rigid with the housing extension 2| and having a pair of spaced parallel legs 24 and 26, respectively, extending laterally therefrom. These legs carry co-axially aligned pins 21 and 28, respectively, which are substantially pointed and so mounted upon the legs 24 and 26 that the pointed ends thereof are directed oppositely. Each of the pins is movable with respect to the bracket 23, for which purpose it preferably is threaded through a hole in one of the legs thereof, thus permitting its accurate adjustment to its desired position, after which it is releasably, but firmly clamped, as by a locknut 23. The aligned pins 21 and '28 serve as the pivotal support for another and similar bracket 3| having two spaced, parallel legs 32 and 33, the spacing between which is greater than the distance between the distal faces of the legs 24 and 26 to permit the bracket 3| to be disposed with its legs 32 and 33 in embracing relationship with the legs 24 and 26 of the bracket 23. Each of the legs 32 and 33 carries a suitable anti-friction bearing 34 which engages one of the pins 21, 28, in such manner as to support the bracket 3| for free rotary motion about the axis of the pins. The importance of the fact that the pins 21 and 28 are substantially pointed is that it enables the anti-friction bearings 34 to engage them at portions of very small diameter, and thereby minimize the amount of friction which develops when the bracket 3| turns upon the bracket 23.

The bracket 3| is preferably formed integrally with a gimbal ring 4|. In fact, for economy of space, the leg 33 of the bracket 3| preferably is an actual part of the gimbal ring 4|, 1. e, the anti-friction bearing 34 of the leg 33 is actually imbedded within the outer peripheral surface of the gimbal ring 4|.

For the purpose of economizing in weight, it is preferred that the gimbal ring 4|, instead of being actually annular as its name would imply, is of U-shaped construction. The gimbal 4| is provided adjacent the outer ends of its legs with opposed, axially aligned anti-friction bearings 42 which serve as the pivotal support for the rotor bearing casing 43 of the instruments gyroscope, which is indicated in its entirety at 44. Moreover, the common axis of the anti-friction bearings 42 is perpendicular to that of the bearings 34. In accordance with the customary practice in the construction of gimbal mountings for gyrosc'opes, preferably the pins 46, which are carried by the rotor housing 44 and which are revolubly engaged in the anti-friction bearings 42, are also substantially pointed for the same purpose as that described hereinabove in connection with the pins 21 and 28. v

The rotor of the gyroscope is journaled within the rotor bearing casing 43, as through the expedient of a spindle 52, the substantially pointed ends 53 of which are revolubly engaged by upper and lower anti-friction bearings 54 and 56, respectively. Also, in accordance with conventional gyroscope construction, the axis of the spindle 52 is perpendicular to, and passes through the intersection of, the major and minor axes of the gimbal mounting, i. e., through the axis of the 4 pins 21 and 28, and through that of the transverse pins 46, respectively.

Inasmuch as the instrument here being described is designed for air operation, I provide a series of buckets 6| in the outer periphery of the rotor 5| of the gyroscope, and also provide means for a directing fluid under pressure, such as compressed air, thereagainst in a substantially tangential direction. For this purpose, a plurality of tangential orifices 62 in the inner wall of the rotor bearing casing 44 communicate with a manifold passage 63, which in turn communicates with the hollow interior 64 of one or both of the pins 46, whereby communication is established with a passageway 66 in the gimbal 4| leading to a position between the legs 32 and 33 of its bracket 3|. A similar passage 61 is provided in the stationary bracket 22, and in order to establish continuous, but flexible intercommunication between the passages 66 and 61, I provide, preferably between the legs 24 and 26 of the stationary bracket, an additional pair of co-operating brackets 1| and 12 rigidly mounted upon the stationary bracket 23 and the rotary bracket 3|, respectively. Each of the brackets 1| and 12 has a passageway therein communicating with the passageway 61 and the passageway 66, respectively; and. one of the brackets, say the bracket 12, carries a tubular extension 13 disposed in coaxial alignment with the pins 21 and 28 and fitted within an opening 14 in one side of the other bracket, say the bracket 1|, so that its bore communicates at all times with the passageway thereof, Consequently, these co-operating brackets 1| and 12 with their interfltting tube 13 and opening 14 constitute a flexible joint whereby fluid under pressure can continuously flow from the passageway 61 to the passageway 66 on its way to the rotor 5|, without interfering in any manner with the relatively free movement of the bracket 3| and the structure supported thereby with respect to the stationary bracket 23. In order to prevent leakage in this flexible joint, a suitable packing means 16 is employed. For example, a preferred form of packing, and one which is ideally suited to the requirements of the present installation is the magnetic fluid seal forming the subject matter of my co-pending application Serial No. 450,826, filed July 13, 1942.

It is apparent, therefore, that the gimbal 4| and the structure supported thereby, are mounted within the housing l6 for free rotary movement about an axis extending longitudinally thereof without the necessity of providing a supporting journal for this freely supported mechanism at that end thereof which is proximal to the window l8, thereby leaving that end fully exposed for unrestricted observation. Importance attaches to this detail, inasmuch as it is at this end where the indicating media, of which unhampered observation is desirable, are located.

I prefer to provide a pair of opposed resilient cushions 8| and 82 in position where they are engaged by the rotary bracket 3| when it approaches its extremes of rotary movement, and thereby limit the extent of rotary movement of the gimbal 4| about the major axis. Similarly, I provide means for limiting rotary movement of the rotor housing 43 about the minor axis, such as a pair of suitably located cushions 83 and 84 (see Figure 9) protruding from the sides of the rotor housing 43 far enough to engage the top and bottom edges, respectively, of the gimbal 4|.

An erecting mechanism 9| is associated with the gyro in accordance with conventional practice, its function being to maintain the gyro in that position wherein the axis of spin of its rotor I is accurately vertical. Whereas the details of construction of the erecting mechanism have no bearing on the present invention, there is no need, as far as the present disclosure is .concerned, for describing it in detail. Suffice it therefore to state that the erector HI corresponds to that forming the subject matter of my co-pending application, Serial No. 463,050 filed October 23, 1942, but it is to be understood that it has been illustrated in an exemplary, and not a limiting sense. However, since this erecting mechanism depends for its operation upon the flow of fluid therethrough, it serves, through the expedient of its outlet orifices 92, as the means of escape of the air from the rotor housing 43 after it has completed its function of imparting spin to the rotor.

Mounted upon the rotor housing 43, as by means of a plurality of supporting brackets II, is a dial plate I02, the form of which is preferably that of a segment of a sphere. This dial plate I02 is disposed just inside the window I6 where it serves as a suitable background for the indicating media, and conceals the operating mechanism of the instrument. Its spherical configuration and the location of its center at or closely adjacent the intersection of the gimbal axes permit unimpaired rotary movement of the casing it about both the major and minor axes of the gyro without liability of interference between the dial plate and any portion of the casing. Carried by the dial plate, is an indicator I06, the preferable form of which is, as shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the proflle of the forward part of an airplane when viewed from the rear. That is to say, this indicator I06 includes a central portion I01, the top of which is rounded in simulation of the shape of a cabin of an ordinary airplane, and a lateral extension I08 on each side thereof and tapering outwards in simulation of the profile of the forward wing portion of an airplane.\ This indicator I06 is mounted for free rotary movement with respect to the gyro and about the major axis thereof, 1. e., about the axes of the aligned pins 21 and 28. For this purpose a U-shaped bracket III is afflxed to the after surface of the dial plate I02, and is provided with aligned holes in its opposed legs for the revoluble support of a rod I I2, to the forward end of which the indicator I06 is aflixed. To the after end of the rod II2, a transversely extending strip II3 of suitable magnetic material is afilxed so that it and the indicator IIl'I are rigidly maintained parallel to each other{ This strip II3 serves as an armature for two opposed bar magnets II4 which are rigidly mounted upon the'casing I6 as by supporting brackets II6. As shown in Figures 5 and 8, these magnets are extended to considerable length, measured in a vertical direction, but they are magnetized crosswise; i. e., their poles are in the inner and outer vertical edges thereof, so that the effect of their being extended vertically as described is to increase their width and thereby permit a limited degree of movement of the magnets II4 with' respect to the armature II3 when the casing I6 rotates about the minor axis of the gyro, without reducing the ability of the magnets I II to retain the armature H3 and the indicator I06 in position extending accurately transversely with respect to the casing I6. As clearly shown in Figures 5 and 7, the dial plate I02 is interposed between the magnets II and'the armature II3; however, it has no tendency to impair the emciency of the attraction for the armature inasmuch as it is composed of suitable non-magnetic material, such as brass, permitting the magnetic lines of force to pass therethrough unhampered. It is apparent therefore that the indicator I06 is so mounted that it is retained at all times extending accurately transversely with respect to the casing I6 so that even though the rotor housing 44 upon which it is mounted remains horizontal when the airplane banks, causing, of course, the casing I6 to tilt about a longitudinal axis, the indicator I06 is caused to rotate similarly about the major axis of the gyro, since it is mediately connected to the casing I6 through the expedient of the magnets I I4.

In order to facilitate interpretation of the instruments reading by the pilot, I prefer to provide a pointer II'I, rigid with the rod H2 and extending upwards therefrom through an arcuate slot in the dial plate I02, so as to make its point I I8 visible therebefore, where it is disposed in cooperative relationship with a series of indicia II9, so calibrated as to indicate when observed in connection with the position of the point I I8, the number of degrees of roll or bank.

The indicator I06 in addition to its use as a portion of the roll or bank indicatonalso serves to show climb or tail low attitude of the airplane on which it is installed, and dive or tail high attitude. The gyro, of course, remains in substantially fixed attitude regardless of the pitching of the ship by which it is carried, and accordingly, when any pitching movement of the ship occurs, the casing I6 which is rigid with the instrument panel thereof, will rotate about the transverse or minor axis of the gyroscope. Say, for example, that the ship goes into diving or tail high attitude. This will cause the easing I6 to rotate with respect to the gyro, and

about the axes of the pins 46, in a clockwise direction as viewed upon Figure 7. As the result, the front of the casing will rise with respect to the indicator I06, bringing the parts substantially to the position illustrated in Figure 3, wherein the indicator I06 appears at a ,lower position with respect to the opening through which the device is observed. To provide a basis of comparison to facilitate interpreting apparent up and down movements of the indicator I06 which follow from the actual movements of the casing I6, I provide an auxiliary indicator I2I which is afiixed to the window I8 as by being bonded to the inner surface thereof, with result that it is fixed with respect to the casing I6 and the glass I8. This indicator I2I is of such form that 'it simulates the tail structure of an airplane. Accordingly, it co-operates with' the indicator I06 to the extent that the two, when viewed simultaneously, closely simulate the appearance of an airplane when viewed from the rear, with the result that their combined effect is much the same as though a motion picture were being taken of the ship that is being flown, from a position astern thereof, and image thus photographed projected upon the instrument panel. Accordingly, when the ship that is being flown noses dowri, causing the casing I6 to tilt forward, 1. e., rotate clockwise as viewed on Figure '7, the auxiliary indicator I2I will rise with respect to the larger indicator I06, causing the indicating media of the instrument to assume positions similar to those indicated in Figure 3. Conversely, when the ship being flown noses up as during a climbing maneuver, the auxiliary indicator I2! will drop with respect to the indicator I08 as illustrated in Figure 2.

It is believed apparent from the hereinabove description of the structure and operation of my improved navigating instrument that by its observation the pilot will be informed immediately and accurately as to the attitude of his ship without having to interpret the movements of a line or any other indicator which simulates the unreal movements of the real horizon line, which of course is stationary at all times, but which presents to the pilot the artificial appearance of moving whenever his ship changes its attitude with respect to the horizontal. Instead of depicting actions which actually do not occur, but only appear to occur, as a result of some other actions regarding which the pilot should be kept informed, the present instrument operates upon the principle actually depicting the ship being flown and showing the movements which it undergoes, so that the effect upon the pilots consciousness is identical withthat which he would gain were he able to observe his own ship from rigid with said gimbal, a bracket rigid with said casing, a pair of axially aligned bearings interconnecting said brackets for free rotary movement with respect to each other, both of said bearings being on the same side of said gyroscope to support the gyroscope and yet leave the opposite side thereof unrestricted, each of said bearings comprising a substantially pointed pin carried by one of said brackets and anti-friction i'iuid therebetween, and means providing a cona point astern of it where any banking or other deviation of the ship from level flight would instantly be obvious to the pilot without the necessity of any interpretation whatsoever.

I claim:

1. An instrument for indicating attitude of an aircraft comprising a casing, an indicator fixed with respect to said casing and simulating an after portion of an airplane, a second indicator simulating a forward portion of an airplane and mounted adjacent said fixed indicator for up and down movement with respect thereto, stabilizing means, means connecting said second indicator to said stabilizing means to retain it in substantially fixed position as said instrument pitches, a third indicator mounted for tilting movement with respect to said other two indicators, and means connecting said third indicator to said stabilizing means to be retained in predetermined relationship to the horizontal as said instrument rolls.

2. In an instrument for indicating spacial orientation, a casing, a gyroscope therein, a gimbal supporting said gyroscope for free rotary motion about mutually perpendicular horizontal axes, said axes respectively extending longitudinally and transversely of said casing, an indicator carried by said gyroscope in position offset longitudinally from said transverse axis whereby said indicator is displaced vertically with respect to said casing when said casing pitches, a second indicator affixed to said casing for conjoint indication with said first indicator, said second indicator being movable thereby with respect to said gyro-borne indicator to indicate pitching of said casing, said gyro-borne indicator bein'g journaled on said gyroscope for tilting movement about a longitudinal axis, and means connecting said gyro-borne indicator to said casing to be -tilted therewith about said longitudinal axis of said indicator, said connecting means comprising av magnet carried by said casing and disposed adjacent and parallel to the path of said gyro-borne indicators vertical displacement and an armature carried by said gyroborne indicator.

3. In a gyroscopic instrument, a casing, a gimbal for supporting a gyroscope therein, a bracket duit on each of said brackets communicating with the associated section of said joint.

4. In a gyroscopic instrument, a casing, a gimbal for supporting a gyroscope therein, a bracket rigid with said gimbal, a bracket rigid with said casing, a pair of axially aligned bearings interconnecting said brackets for free rotary movement with respect to each other, both of said bearings being on the same side of said gyroscope to support the gyroscope and yet leave the opposite side thereof unrestricted, means for conducting fluid to said gyroscope comprising interfitting and relatively revoluble male and female joint sections carried respectively by said brackets in axial alignment with said bearings, packing means interposed between said joint sections to resist leakage of fluid therebetween, and means providing a, conduit on each of said brackets communicating with the associated section of said joint.

5. An instrument for indicating variation in the attitude of a craft with respect to a horizontal plane, comprising a pair of indicators which, when viewed simultaneously, jointly simulate the appearance of said craft, each of said indicators simulating the appearance of a different part of said craft, means individually mounting said indicators for vertical movement with respect to each other, and means operative in response to rotary movement of said craft about a horizontal axis for producing relative vertical movement between said indicators and thereby simulating the actual tipping movement of said craft responsible for said relative movement of said indicators.

THOMAS O. SUMMERS, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,939,825 Narvesen et al Dec. 19, 1933 2,183,133 Carter Dec. 12, 1939 2,044,151 ,Sperry et al June 16, 1936 1,988,591 Gillmor Jan. 22, 1935 2,232,537 Kollsman Feb. 18, 1941 2,170,087 McPherson Aug. 22, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 425,111 Great Britain Mar. 4, 1935 

